Wi-Fi access to be available on London Underground by this summer

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Following a successful trial at Charing Cross station, TfL has confirmed that Wi-Fi access will be provided at 120 stations throughout the Tube network, enabling travellers to go online when waiting at platforms. Wi-Fi services will be unavailable when passengers are travelling from station to station within Tube carriages.

The assertion that access will be available in advance of the London 2012 Olympics follows the collapse of a similar attempt to provide commuters with internet access last year. Then it was claimed that the UK’s four main mobile operators would provide the service, but those plans never came to fruition. TfL has yet to announce which company will take responsibility for the service. Gareth Powell, TfL’s director of strategy and service development said: “We are in the final stages of the tender process. London Underground is continuing with preparations to install the necessary infrastructure and is on schedule to complete the project as planned. An announcement of the chosen service provider will be made in early spring, leaving plenty of time for this to be delivered to customers in time for the 2012 Games.”

Details of possible charges to consumers have yet to be confirmed. During trials at Charing Cross station commuters could access travel information for free, but access to other sites was free only for BT customers.

The announcement follows a partnership between O2, Westminster council and Kensington and Chelsea council to turn part of the capital into Europe’s largest free wireless hub. When introduced, that deal will allow residents and visitors to the boroughs to access internet services for free but it has been suggested that advertisements will be embedded within the service.